Professionally create copper beech hedge

Professionally create copper beech hedge

Origin and Distribution

The European beech, which is widespread throughout Europe, and its sister, the copper beech, are widespread throughout Europe - the mutated, red-leaved form is of course much less common. The copper or purple beech was discovered by chance in the 15th century and has been in culture ever since. Like every common beech, this variant feels at home in the cool and humid regions of Central Europe.

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use

The copper beech is particularly common in parks and cemeteries because of its picturesque color and the overhanging crowns. In private gardens, on the other hand, the huge deciduous tree causes a sensation less as a solitary, but more as a copper beech hedge - after all, the wood is both easy to cut and easy to care for and, thanks to its healthy growth and ease of cultivation, makes an excellent hedge against view and wind.

Appearance and stature

Like its closely related European beech, the copper beech is a mighty deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 meters high and just as wide, arched crowns. Characteristic are the silver-gray branches, which curve downwards in an arc and thus offer a picturesque sight in combination with the dark red foliage. The species is not only suitable as a copper beech hedge because of its leaves, but above all because of its rapid growth - an annual increase of 40 to 50 centimeters is not uncommon - and its good cut tolerance.

leaves

Of course, the leaves are the most striking thing about the picturesque copper beech, especially since they change color several times over the course of the vegetation period. When it shoots, the leaves look copper-colored and finally shine in a dark burgundy red or even black red. This atypical coloration is the result of a lack of enzymes that break down the red anthocyanin in the leaves and make them appear green. However, as the year progresses, the eye-catching color disappears and the foliage gradually turns green. Otherwise, the leaves are similar to those of the European beech, they are egg-shaped and slightly wavy and arranged alternately.

Blossoms and flowering period

Copper beeches do not bloom until they are around 30 years old, and therefore also fruits, which is why your freshly planted copper beech hedge is unlikely to produce either one or the other. Basically, the tree is sexually monoecious, ie male and female flowers are on the same specimen. While the male flowers, which are up to five centimeters long, hang down, the pink female flowers rise upright. The flowering time is in April and May.

fruit

The prickly fruit cups, the so-called beechnuts, are probably familiar to every child. They contain small, oval to square nuts that are edible for both humans and animals. However, you should only snack on small amounts, as they contain small amounts of oxalic acid and fagin.

Which location is suitable?

In terms of location, the domestic copper beech is pleasingly uncomplicated, as it grows in sunny, partially shaded or even shady locations. However, the beautiful leaf color is more pronounced in bright places and is less developed in the shade.

ground

Basically, the sunnier the copper beech, the fresher the subsoil - the tree cannot cope with drought. It prefers a nutrient-rich, loamy soil that is fresh to moist. The pH value should ideally be in the alkaline range, with beeches still growing well in slightly acidic soil between 5 and 7.5. Waterlogging should be avoided, as well as prolonged drought, since the copper beech hedge cannot develop healthily under such conditions and in the worst case dies.

Plant the copper beech hedge properly

The best time to plant the copper beech hedge is in autumn, when the temperature is still mild and the ground is not frozen - especially since the more frequent rainfall promotes rapid growth in the new location. For a copper beech hedge, it is best to use bare-root goods or heister that have already been transplanted several times, although container plants can also be used. These in turn can still be planted in spring. For a hedge you need around two to three copper beeches per square meter, which are placed at the chosen location at a distance of 50 centimeters. The copper beech hedge is planted as follows:

  • Determine the location and length of the hedge
  • Mark this with a straight piece of string.
  • Dig plant holes every 50 centimeters.
  • If necessary, work in a drainage layer made of gravel.
  • Mix the excavated material with compost.
  • Insert blood beeches.
  • Plant support rods to reduce the risk of breakage
  • These can be removed again after they have taken root.
  • Pour the earth up and step firmly.
  • Water vigorously to encourage rooting

If you like variety, do not plant a pure copper beech hedge, but combine the red-leaved species with the green-leaved red beech. The plants require the same conditions in terms of location and care, which is why socialization is not a problem.

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Water the copper beech hedge

The copper beech likes neither dryness nor waterlogging, which is why the copper beech hedge should only be additionally watered in the period after planting and during dry and hot summer days. Mulching the root area (for example with bark mulch) keeps the moisture in the soil and prevents the soil from drying out.

Fertilize the copper beech hedge properly

Mulching with bark mulch, leaves or compost not only keeps the soil moist, but also supplies the copper beech hedge with valuable nutrients. In addition, you can fertilize the trees organically from March to July with ripe compost and, if necessary, horn shavings (€ 6.39 on Amazon *) to promote healthy growth. However, this measure should not be really necessary in a location with humus-rich and well-drained soil. Since copper beeches are also quite sensitive to over-fertilization, you should avoid using mineral fertilizers.

Cut copper beech hedge correctly

In order to use an opaque copper beech hedge, you should prune it evenly once or twice a year. The first cut is made in suitable, mild weather between mid and late February. Now cut the hedge back to the desired height and width, using which you can stretch cords as an aid. Also make sure that the hedge is wider at the bottom than at the top - the trapezoidal shape ensures that the leaves also receive sufficient light in the lower area. Otherwise they would bald quickly. From the beginning of March you should no longer prune because of the beginning of the bird breeding season, and strong pruning measures are now prohibited by law anyway. Around June 24th - St. John's Day - the first brood is usually grown up and already flown out,which is why you can now use the scissors again. Now shorten the young branches by about half in order to achieve stronger branching.

By the way, older and already bald copper beech hedges can be rejuvenated and brought back into shape quite well, as the species is very capable of regeneration.

Propagate copper beech hedge

Anyone who enjoys propagating the copper beech by hand should try their luck with cuttings. Since the trees do not develop flowers and therefore seeds until very late, these are difficult to get when collecting - especially since seed cultivation takes significantly longer than the vegetative form of propagation. This works as follows:

  • The best time is spring.
  • Cut off a shoot that is not yet completely lignified.
  • This should have around three to four sleeping eyes (i.e., buds).
  • Defoliate the cutting in the lower part.
  • Plant them individually in a pot with a well-moistened growing medium. (€ 9.05 at Amazon *)
  • Place the pot in a bright (but not directly sunny!) Location.
  • Regularly spray the cutting with water from a spray bottle.

As soon as the first new shoots develop, the young copper beech has developed roots and can soon be planted in a larger pot or outdoors. If you water the cutting regularly with willow water, this will encourage rooting.

Overwinter

Special wintering measures are not necessary as the native species is absolutely hardy. Leave the dried up foliage on the hedge, it will be thrown off by itself in the spring when new shoots emerge. Autumn is also the right time to spread fresh mulch material.

Diseases and pests

Diseases and pests occur only very rarely on the robust copper beech. The following infections are typical:

  • Leaf tan: wilting leaves, especially in damp weather, fungal disease, it is essential to remove fallen leaves to avoid re-infection
  • Beech wool louse: can be combated very well with nettle broth and natural enemies such as lacewing or ladybirds
  • Beech leaf gall mosquito: Larvae overwinter in the leaves, which is why the fall leaves must be removed

Tips

If the copper beech hedge shows discolored leaves or rolled-up shoots, these signs are mostly due to a pest or fungal attack. Diseases, on the other hand, occur above all in trees that are weakened through unsuitable care or a wrong location, which is why you should also eliminate the cause (e.g. wet soil) in addition to the symptoms - the disease or the pest.

Species and varieties

There are different cultivated forms of the copper beech, which have slightly different properties. The variety 'Atropunicea', for example, is either propagated from seedlings or grafted on the market, while 'Purpurea' is grown exclusively from seeds. Through the vegetative refinement, it is possible to completely transfer the parental characteristics to the next generation, which is not possible with seedling propagation for genetic reasons. Blood beeches raised from seedlings therefore often have different shades of red and green over the course of summer. So if you value an evenly dark red copper beech hedge, you should use refined tree nursery goods. The 'Swat Magret' variety also has a particularly beautiful, dark ruby-red color.

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